Ghost boat carrying marijuana lands on Fort Lauderdale beach

FORT LAUDERDALE — A small, center console boat with a black Bimini top that held 11 bundles of marijuana washed ashore on Fort Lauderdale Beach Monday without its captain or passengers.

A person on the beach called 911 before dawn about the vessel that was in the surf near Oakland Park Boulevard and North Atlantic Boulevard, authorities said.

"While officers were at the scene, a man presented himself to Customs agents, declared himself to be illegal and he was taken into custody by federal authorities," Fort Lauderdale Police Detective DeAnna Greenlaw said. "It's too early to know if there is any connection between him and the boat."

The cannabis was packed in small bundles, each about the size of a textbook, she said.

"It's a small amount, compared to what typically washes ashore," she said. "It weighs about 73 pounds. Depending upon the quality of the marijuana, the value is estimated to be about $2,000 per pound."

Also on the sand was a blue barrel. What it may contain and whether it came off the boat weren't immediately known and it was also removed by detectives, she said.

A police boat and the U.S. Coast Guard were offshore, looking in the Atlantic Ocean for the ghost vessel's occupants and other evidence.

"Foul play is not suspected in this incident," Greenlaw said. "Our detectives and marine unit are working on this investigation with the Coast Guard and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. The Broward Sheriff's marine unit was also made aware of what was discovered, so if more evidence is recovered, they'll be in contact."

Fort Lauderdale Police ask anyone with information to call its special investigations division at 954-828-6691.